December 7, 2013UCSB Falls to San Diego 3-0 in NCAA TournamentSAN DIEGO, Calif. – In its 28th NCAA Tournament appearance, the UC Santa Barbara women’s volleyball team could not continue their season as No. 9 San Diego completed the first round sweep in front of a home crowd. After a gritty 26-24 first set, USD went on to take the remaining games 25-18, 25-14.

December 5, 2013UCSB to Open NCAA Tournament at No. 9 San DiegoLast weekend, UCSB clinched a share of the Big West title for the first time since 2005. The Gauchos (13-3) tied with Hawai’i and Cal State Northridge to give the conference its first ever tri-champions. Santa Barbara owned the tie breaker among the teams and earned the Big West’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

December 1, 2013Gauchos are Big West Champs After Defeating Irvine 3-1IRVINE, Calif. – For the 28th time in program history, the UC Santa Barbara women’s volleyball team will compete in the NCAA Tournament after clinching the Big West Championship on Saturday night. The team downed UC Irvine in four sets to conclude the regular season (26-24, 22-25, 29-27, 25-12).

November 28, 2013UCSB Concludes Regular Season on the RoadUCSB finished their 2013 home schedule with consecutive sweeps against Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside. Katey Thompson led the Gauchos to the dominant weekend with 21 kills and 10 digs. Efficient on offense, Thompson’s weekend hit percentage was .415. The two wins gave UCSB11 sweeps on the year, eight coming in conference play.

November 25, 2013Lantagne Welch has UCSB on Verge of TitleA combination of trust and a willingness to adapt has spurred coach Nicole Lantagne Welch and her UCSB women's volleyball team to the top of the Big West.

November 23, 2013UCSB Picks Up Another Sweep in Senior Night Win Over UC RiversideThree UCSB attackers finished with double digit kills and the Gauchos defense held visiting UC Riverside to an anemic .022 hitting percentage in a 3-0 sweep of the Highlanders on Senior Night at the Thunderdome, giving the team its fourth straight win to pull even with Cal State Northridge at the top of the Big West standings.

November 21, 2013UCSB to Close Out Home Schedule with Fullerton, RiversideThe Gauchos took control of their playoff destiny last weekend after picking up two wins on the road at UC Davis (3-0) and at No. 21 Cal State Northridge (3-2). In Davis, UCSB faced one of the toughest defensive teams in the conference and battled hard in every set to complete the sweep 25-21, 25-23, 25-23.With the victory at CSUN; UCSB now owns the tiebreaker between the two teams.

November 18, 2013Ali Spindt Named Big West Player of the WeekSANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Ali Spindt was named the Big West Player of the Week after leading the Gauchos to back-to-back road wins, including a five-set victory over No. 21 Cal State Northridge, the conference announced on Monday.
The outside hitter is just one of two freshmen to earn the accolade as she averaged 4.00 kills and 3.38 digs per set over the weekend.

November 17, 2013UCSB Downs No. 21 CSUN in Pivotal MatchupNORTHRIDGE, Calif. – In a match that may ultimately decide the Big West title, UCSB downed No. 21 Cal State Northridge in a thrilling five setter. With final scores of 25-18, 27-29, 25-20, 21-25, and 15-12, the match with heavy postseason implications had both teams playing with playoff mentalities.

November 15, 2013UCSB to be Featured on ESPN3 in Saturday's Northridge MatchSANTA BARBARA, Calif. – With first place on the line, UC Santa Barbara will be featured on ESPN3 when they visit Cal State Northridge this Saturday. The second place Gauchos (8-2) will challenge the conference leading Matadors (11-1) as the regular season approaches its final two weeks.

November 15, 2013Gauchos Pull Out Tough 3-0 Sweep in DavisDAVIS, Calif. – Behind Ali Spindt’s 14 kills and 17 digs, UCSB pulled off the road sweep over UC Davis on Thursday night. Though the Gauchos came away with the 3-0 final, the Aggies did not go down easy with final sets scores of 25-21, 25-23, and 25-23.

November 13, 2013UCSB Continues Fight for First on the RoadAfter the Gauchos won a five-set thriller in Honolulu last month, the Rainbow Wahine pulled off a road win of their own in Santa Barbara in another five setter. UCSB tallied a total of 20 team blocks, paced by Phoebe Grunt’s 10 block assists. The loss ended the Gauchos’ eight match winning streak UCSB is entering this week with just two losses on its Big West record, both of which ended in five sets.

November 10, 2013UCSB Falls to No. 12 Hawai'i 3-2SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Playing a revenge minded team, UCSB fell to No. 12 Hawai’i in a five-set finish, as the Rainbow Wahine evened the season series in the Thunderdome on Saturday night. With final scores of 22-25, 25-15, 23-25, 25-22, and 15-12, the match was reminiscent of how competitive the teams were in the previous time they faced off in Honolulu a month ago.

November 8, 2013UCSB Eyes Season Sweep Over No. 12 Hawai’iThe Gauchos pulled off the season sweep over rival Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo last Saturday in a dominant 3-0 shutout. The match started UCSB on their second round through the Big West after the Gauchos went 7-1 in their first eight matchups with conference opponents. The road sweep extended UCSB’s winning streak to eight matches - the program’s longest since 2005- and also places the team just a 1/2 game shy of first place in the conference standings, as Cal State Northridge currently stands at 9-1. As a team, the Gauchos held Cal Poly’s offense to just a .056 kill percentage. UCSB also had its way at the net, as it edged the Mustangs in total blocks 13 to five.

November 7, 2013Women's Volleyball to Honor 1973, 1974 Teams at Hawai'i MatchThe Gauchos will be both seeking and honoring history this Saturday when they host no. 12 Hawai’i in the Thunderdome. With a win over the Rainbow Wahine, it would mark the first time in program history that UCSB defeated Hawai’i at home since 1993.

November 3, 2013UCSB Sweeps Cal Poly, Picks Up Eighth Straight WinSAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – UC Santa Barbara swept its rival Cal Poly with scores of 25-20, 25-12, 26-24 to earn its eighth straight victory. The winning streak is the program’s longest since 2005. The Gauchos dominant play follows two other sweeps the team garnered against UC Riverside and Cal State Fullerton last week.

October 31, 2013UCSB Hits the Road to Face Cal PolyThe Gauchos swept their competition last weekend as they blanked both UC Riverside and Cal State Fullerton 3-0. Those victories also extend the team’s winning streak to seven matches, marking its longest winning streak over Big West opponents since 2005. At 7-1 in conference, UCSB is now in a tie for first-place with Cal State Northridge. The Gauchos currently hold the tie breaker between the two as they handed the Matadors their only loss in Big West play on Oct. 18.

October 27, 2013UCSB Sweeps Fullerton, Now Tied for FirstFULLERTON, Calif.– For the first time this season, UCSB is tied for first place in the Big West after sweeping Cal State Fullerton on Saturday night. The Gauchos had a complete game in the victory as they held the Titans’ kill percentage to just .296, compared to their .341 mark.

October 26, 2013Gauchos Come Up Strong in Sweep Over RiversideRIVERSIDE, Calif.— In their most dominant match this season, the Gauchos swept UC Riverisde in convincing fashion on Friday night. Leading UCSB to the 25-17, 25-15, 25-16 was Katey Thompson who swung for a match-high 14 kills. The senior oppositee checked in with her most efficient night on offense this season as she hit for an overwhelming .619. Also checking in with double digit kills were Ali Spindt and Ali Barbeau with 12 and 11, respectively.

October 23, 2013UCSB Takes Win Streak to Riverside, FullertonThe Gauchos pushed their winning streak to five matches as they defeated Cal State Northridge (3-0) and UC Davis (3-2) at the Thunderdome this past weekend. UCSB’s victory over the Matadors not only gave CSUN its first loss of conference play, but it also marked the third-straight time the Gauchos defeated the top-team in the Big West. Against the Aggies, UCSB overcame a 2-1 deficit by taking the fourth (25-20) and fifth sets (15-11). After hitting .000 as a team in the third set, UCSB sparked its comeback with a collective. 438 kill percentage in the fourth set.

October 20, 2013Sully leads Gauchos to Comeback Win Over UC DavisSANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Gauchos proved they could play through adversity in their 3-2 comeback victory over UC Davis on Saturday night. After trailing 2-1 entering the fourth set, Leah Sully made the switch from libero to outside hitter and led UCSB’s offense to the exciting five-set finish.

October 19, 2013UCSB Deals CSUN Its First Conference Loss with 3-0 SweepSANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The good times continue to roll for the UCSB women’s volleyball team, as the Gauchos swept first place Cal State Northridge in the Thunderdome on Friday night. The 3-0 victory was a result from the impressive match scores of 25-22, 25-19, and 25-15.

October 17, 2013UCSB to Host Undefeated CSUN, UC Davis in ThunderdomeLast weekend, UCSB captured easily its most impressive win of the season in a 3-2 upset over then-No. 5 Hawai’i. It was the Gauchos first victory over a top-5 ranked opponent in over a decade. The loss snapped the Rainbow Wahine’s 41-match win streak in conference play, which dated back to 2008. Katey Thompson led UCSB in Honolulu with 19 kills and a season-high 11 total blocks. Ali Spindt contributed 12 kills and was sound defensively, as she recorded a career-high 17 digs. As a team, UCSB outblocked Hawaii 17-11 and edged them in kill percentage .195 to .111.

October 14, 2013Thompson Earns Player of the Week Honors After Hawaii UpsetSANTA BARBARA, Calif. – After leading the Gauchos to an upset road victory over No. 5 Hawai’i on Friday, Katey Thompson received player of the week honors from the Big West and the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table. Thompson had a career night in Honolulu for UCSB, as she tallied a career-best 26.0 points with her 19 kills and match-high 11 total blocks.

October 12, 2013Gauchos Upset No. 5 Hawaii in Historic Five-Set VictoryHONOLULU, Hawaii – After taking the first two sets, the Gauchos held off Hawaii’s furious comeback and defeated the No. 5 Rainbow Wahine in five sets. It was a historic victory for UCSB as it snapped Hawaii’s 41 conference match win streak dating back to 2008. For the Gauchos, it was their first win over Hawaii since 1994.

October 9, 2013Gauchos to Face No. 5 Hawai’i in HonoluluLast weekend, Ali Spindt captured a career high with 17 kills to lead the Gauchos to a 3-1 victory over their rival Cal Poly at the Thunderdome. After dropping the first set 27-25, UCSB took the next three, including a dominant 25-16 win in the third game. The freshman also added 14 digs to her statline for a double-double, her fourth in as many matches. Katey Thompson contributed 16 kills and also held her own at the net with five total blocks, two solo. Overall, the Gaucho offense swung for an efficient .310 hitting percentage on the night.

October 6, 2013UCSB Downs Rival Cal Poly 3-1SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – UCSB inked another chapter in the Blue Green Rivalry with a 3-1 victory over Cal Poly on Saturday night. The Gauchos not only put up back-to-back wins, but they also extend their winning streak over their rival to four matches, dating back to the 2011 season.

October 4, 2013The Gauchos Prepare to Host Cal Poly this WeekendLast weekend, the Gauchos started their Big West schedule with matches against Long Beach State and UC Irvine. In their conference opener agains the 49ers, the Gauchos played in a five-set thriller, and were just edged out by a 15-13 decision in the final game. UCSB bounced back from the heart breaking loss with a decisive 3-0 sweep over the Anteaters. The two matches marked the Gauchos' first home competition since their season opener against Stanford on Aug. 30.

September 29, 2013Gauchos Sweep Anteaters for First Big West VictorySANTA BARBARA, Calif. – UCSB shook off a 3-2 loss to Long Beach State with a convincing 3-0 sweep over UC Irvine in the Thunderdome on Saturday night. It was the first time Santa Barbara blanked the Irvine since the 2011 season.

September 28, 2013Gauchos Fall Short to Long Beach State in Five Set ThrillerSANTA BARBARA, Calif. – UC Santa Barbara opened up their conference schedule with a thrilling five set match against Long Beach State on Friday night in the Thunderdome. UCSB made a hard fought comeback to tie the fifth set at 13 all, but would fall just short in the 15-13 decision.

September 22, 2013UCSB Sweeps Loyola, Battles Arizona to Five SetsTUCSON, Ariz. – The Gauchos made the most out of their final day of nonconference play, as they swept Loyola Maryland and battled Arizona to five sets. The sweep was UCSB’s second in the Wildcat Classic, while the Gauchos pushed Arizona to extra points in the fifth set.

September 21, 2013UCSB Tops Terriers in 3-0 SweepTUCSON, Ariz. – UC Santa Barbara started off the Wildcat Classic with a dominant sweep over Wofford on Friday. Ali Spindt led the Gauchos by being the only player to hit double-digit kill figures with 12. What was even more impressive was the freshman’s prolific .556 hitting percentage. The Gaucho defense held the Terriers to a .110 kill percentage, allowing only 31 kills.

September 17, 2013UCSB Looks Ahead to Wildcat ClassicThe Gauchos will finish their nonconference play this weekend in Arizona at the Wildcat Classic. UCSB is looking to shake off a two-match skid after falling to No. 2 San Diego and. No. 5 USC at the USD Tournament last weekend.

September 15, 2013Gauchos Fall to USC, USD, Thompson Named All-TournamentSan Diego, Caif.— Facing two of the top-10 teams in the nation on Saturday, UCSB feel both to USC (3-1) and San Diego (3-0) to conclude the USD Tournament. Despite the losses, Katey Thompson was voted to the all-tournament team.

September 14, 2013UCSB Routs Eastern Washington 3-0 in San DiegoSAN DIEGO, Calif. — The Gauchos made their USD Tournament debut in sweeping fashion with 3-0 rout over Eastern Washington at the Jenny Craig Pavillion on Friday night. UCSB won in very convincing fashion with 25-12, 25-18, and 25-16 set victories. Santa Barbara moves its record to 3-4 on the seaosn, while the Eagles drop to 3-6.

September 11, 2013UCSB Faces Top Opponents in San DiegoUC Santa Barbara will face two top-10 ranked teams at the USD Tournament, as they look to shake off their 0-3 outing in the Pepperdine Invitational last weekend.

September 8, 2013Gauchos Drop Pair of Matches, Sully Named All-TournamentMALIBU, Calif.— UC Santa Barbara drops its two matches on the final day of the Pepperdine Invitational to Colorado State (3-1) and Virginia (3-2), respectively. Despite losing in their three matches in Malibu, UCSB’s Leah Sully was named to the all-tournament team after she racked up 54 kills over the weekend.

September 5, 2013UCSB Prepares for Pepperdine InvitationalUCSB looks to continue their two-match win streak at the Pepperdine Invitational where they will face Pepperdine, Colorado State, and Virginia. The weekend schedule will look to challenge the Gauchos, as both the Waves and the Rams made the NCAA Tournament last season.

September 1, 2013UCSB Goes 2-0 at Cal Molten Classic, Sully and Barbeau HonoredSANTA BARBARA, Calif.– UCSB triumphed at the Cal Molten Classic with two thrilling five set victories over Nevada and New Mexico State, giving Nicole Lantagne Welch her first wins as the Gauchos’ new head coach. Outside hitters Ali Barbeau and Leah Sully were named to the all-tournament teams for their big roles in UCSB’s tournament.

August 30, 2013UCSB Falls 3-0 to Stanford in Season OpenerSANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The 2013 UCSB women’s volleyball opened the 2013 season by hosting No. 3 Stanford in the Thunderdome on Friday. The Gauchos competed in tightly contested sets, but would fall to the Cardinal 3-0.

August 28, 2013Gauchos Host Stanford in Historic Season OpenerTo open the 2013 season, UCSB will host national powerhouse Stanford in the Thunderdome on Aug. 30. The Gauchos will be led by a new coaching staff with Nicole Lantagne Welch at the helm.

August 26, 2013Meet Nicole: The Year AheadNicole Lantagne Welch faced some of the top teams in the country in the ACC, and she will continue to play the NCAA’s with UCSB’s 2013 schedule. The Gauchos will be put to the test early this season with a nonconference schedule that boasts six NCAA Tournament teams from last season, five of which the Gauchos will face on the road in September. In this edition of Meet Nicole, we asked Lantagne Welch about the challenges of the 2013 schedule and now she will prepare her team.

August 19, 2013Meet Nicole: California DreamingBecoming the head coach of the UCSB women’s volleyball team was a dream come true for Nicole Lantagne Welch. She grew up down the coast in Encinitas and spent most of her childhood vacations visiting her family in Santa Barbara. Her hiring in February brought Lantagne Welch back home to reestablish UCSB as one of the premier programs in the NCAA. This week, we asked Lantagne Welch about her transition in becoming UCSB’s newest head coach while establishing her life in a place she called her home away from home as child.

August 16, 2013New Era Dawns for UCSB VolleyballNicole Lantagne Welch woke up on the right side of the bed when she greeted her first morning in Santa Barbara last spring.
"I got up and had the mountains over here on one side, and the beach over there, and it felt like home," she said. "It felt right."

July 29, 2013Lantagne Welch Era Begins with Demanding Schedule, Season Tickets On SaleIn 2013, the UCSB women’s volleyball program will begin a new era as Nicole Lantagne Welch makes her debut in Gaucho blue and gold. Lantagne Welch announced an exciting 2013 schedule, highlighted by the season opener against Stanford on August 30 at the Thunderdome. Season tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling 805-893-UCSB (8272), in person at the Ticket Office in the Intercollegiate Athletics Building or online by clicking here.